Health Watch: Teething tips

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Staff reports

While new parents look forward to milestones in their infants' lives, teething can sometimes feel more like a millstone. Here are some common questions and some common-sense solutions about teething.

Quick facts

* Baby's first teeth generally arrive between six and eight months. Most children will have all twenty of their primary teeth by the age of three.

* Teeth frequently appear in sets of two: the two lower incisors will usually appear first, followed by the top front incisors. Molars and canines come afterwards.

* Babies vary in their development, so while many children develop teeth around the same time, each child is unique. If you have concern, consult your pediatrician.

How do I know my baby is teething?

Signs of teething include drooling and loss of appetite, as well as irritability and sleeplessness. It's understandable that babies are fussy while teething because their first teeth must push through the gum tissue, which causes tenderness, soreness and inflamed gums.

How do I ease my baby's teething pain?

There are several things you can do to make teething a little easier.

* Chill a teething ring in the refrigerator for some cooling relief. The temperature will help to numb baby's gums and the counter-pressure helps to alleviate soreness. A wet washcloth can also be soothing.

* You might also try a topical anesthetic. It works immediately, unlike acetaminophen, which may take up to 30 minutes to relieve pain.

For more information about easing teething pain, visit www.orajel.com.

Did You Know?

The World Health Organization now recommends that mothers exclusively breastfeed infants for the child’s first six months to achieve optimal growth.

New Research: Motor crashes favor men

In 2007, non-Hispanic white men were two to three times more likely to die in motor vehicle crashes than were non-Hispanic white women. The gender difference was similar in other race and ethnic groups.

-- CDC.gov

Health Tip

The cervical cancer vaccine is recommended for girls 11 to 12 and no younger than 9; Gardasil can be given to boys between the ages of 9 and 26. Talk to your doctor about the vaccines and when is the right time for your child.

-- MayoClinic.com

Number to Know

30: An international study has discovered over 30 new locations at which gene variants were associated with a higher risk of Crohn’s disease. With a total of 71 gene variants and counting, more genes have been linked to this disease than any other.

-- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Children’s Health: More sleep regulates body weight

When children are given the opportunity to sleep more, like on weekends and holidays, the extra sleep tends to mitigate the adverse effects of irregular sleep on weekdays. A new study examined the effects of duration and regularity of sleep schedules on Body Mass Index and metabolic regulation in children.

Obese children experienced shorter and more irregular sleep on weekends, and they were less likely to experience “catch-up” sleep on weekends. The combination of less sleep and more variable sleep patterns was associated with adverse metabolic outcomes. Study authors conclude that promoting longer and more regular sleep, aimed at families, may help children maintain a healthy body weight.

-- American Academy of Pediatrics

Senior Health: At-home rehabilitation a success

Knee replacement patients undergoing telerehabilitation –– a unique Internet-based postoperative program that can be conducted from the patient’s home –– experience the same results as patients who undergo traditional postoperative rehabilitation, according to a new study. It is becoming a popular alternative for patients who have no access to traditional rehabilitation centers.

“The concept for telerehabilitation is a decade old; however, well-conducted research studies demonstrating its benefits and potential are rare,” said study author Dr. Trevor Russell. “This study offers measurable evidence that such technology can be used to provide effective rehabilitation services for knee replacement patients.”

-- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

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